It is possible that Jarvis Cocker could be the coolest man on the planet. He returned to the New York City area for a pair of dates. The first night at the rather small-ish Music Hall of Williamsburg is a vast improvement of his Webster Hall shows from last year. Thus, with a proper venue, an excellent array of new songs and a Jarvis who was in peak form, it could be one of my Top 5 shows of the year. It was that entertaining.
The set list
- Complications
- Caucasian Blues
- Tonite
- Girls Like It Too
- Big Julie
- I Will Kill Again
- Angela
- Told You Twice
- Big Stuff
- Black Magic
- ENCORE: Fat Children
- Fucking Song
- Cunts Are Still Running the World
- SECOND ENCORE: Don't Let Him Waste Your Time
- Face It (Master C & J cover)
The man is bonkers. He's a showman, shaman, great orator, snappy dresser and a gentleman. When the man came out, he gave out candy -- dark chocolate Mounds -- which I got. He proceeded to hand out drinks during the whole show. Free drinks from BritPop legends is a good thing.
The gig was as Jarvis-like as you would want. He struts around on stage like a goof ball, and manages to pull it off. The man is an entity all his own. We all think we're cool people. One day we might be four-popped collars cool, but we'll never be Jarvis Cocker cool. He's as quick with his wit as he is with a contorted rock star pose. He simultaneously makes fun of the rock star persona while making something entirely his own. The man is unhinged on stage -- jumping around, falling to his knees and waving his arms around.
Even if he wasn't such a stage presence, the new music off of his upcoming second solo album made me interested. A lot more energetic tunes, with the softer ballads owing a lot to his Sheffield counterpart, Richard Hawley. Jarvis is easing into the solo act rather nicely. His songs have great meaning, whether it be is social observation or a cleaver story about a character. For a few moments during the show, the new material made me forget about the Pulp years -- whom I never saw live. I'm over it, and now focusing of the great new tunes from J.C.
His stage banter turns a normal 60-70 minute affair to a 100-minute gig. He touches on any random subject and Jarvy will go off for 20 minutes. Tonight, he touched on Tony Blair, children's book, diners that are made to look like they are form the 50s/60s, personal ads and the correct temperature to drink red wine. When he's not making you dance and scream, the man can make you laugh. What I found amusing was when he was pacing the stage trying to explain the meaning of a song, he tripped over a monitor. For a brief second, the rock star was a normal, clutzy man.
For as many shows as I've seen this year, I was in awe of him tonight. I just wanted to ask him, "Man, how do you do it?" He's 44 years old and it could be said that his solo work is the best of any singer at that age who was from a famous British band. He's better than Morrissey, Ian Brown, Paul Weller at 44, you name it. Albarn? He doesn't officially do solo work and he's not 44 yet.
It was just a blast from beginning to end. It ended with a cover of the Chicago house music song "Face It" by Master J & C, which I had never heard of, but I'm interested ro hear how it sounds. The whole show he got the crowded in a festive state and he ends it with a trippy dance number that I didn't want to end,
My hats off to Mr. Cocker, a man who needs to be studied so that his coolness gene can be cloned and used to make people better and kinder people ... I also want those glasses.
fantastic post, thank you -- i couldn't agree more. a truly remarkable show, as heart-wrenching as it was heart-warming. makes you love life.
Posted by: | July 22, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I had good time last night, thanks to JC. Good mix of age group in the audience is a testment to longevity of JC's career. His music kicks ass today just as it did in early 90's. Thanks for great photo!
Posted by: Danny | July 22, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I saw him at Pitchfork in Chicago Saturday night. As a result of getting within 20 feet of him, I believe I am now immortal
Posted by: joel ostrow | July 22, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I saw him @ Pichfork too, and it was off the chain! The only drawback was that it was a short set because he was NOT the headliner...but i hope, hope, hope i get to see him again. sigh.
Posted by: adriana | July 24, 2008 at 05:41 PM